The pumpkinseed is the most abundant and widespread species of sunfish in New York State. It grows from 4-8 inches long. Pumpkinseeds occur in large numbers in warm shallow waters close to shore. They live in a variety of habitats from small lakes and ponds, to the shallow, weedy bays of larger lakes and the quiet waters of slow moving streams and sluggish rivers.
The pumpkinseed is a colorful fish with a bronze to red/orange belly and a bright red spot on the gill flap. The head and body are dark green and the sides have patches of dark scales, some of which are reddish brown. The lower jaw is blue.
The pumpkinseed is also
considered a panfish, and
is excellent to eat.
The pumpkinseed is an opportunistic feeder that consumes a wide variety of preys consisting of many kinds of insects, amphipods, mollusks, larval salamanders, and small fish.
Pumpkinseeds spawn from May through August. The males build nests close to shore and in colonies similar to bluegill. The nests are often located close to aquatic vegetation. Males guard the eggs and the young. Females will lay between 600 and 5,000 eggs depending upon their size. Hatching takes place in about 3 days and the male guards the young for another week or more.